Basil Lemonade

We all like lemonade; most of us anyway.  Lemonade takes me back to the summers of my childhood.

I received another Vegetarian Times magazine, subscription that my friend Vero,  from La Cocina de Vero con comida, gave to me for Christmas.  Thanks again my friend.

A couple of days ago I was reading through my new magazine and among the succulent recipes I found one that truly caught my attention, Basil Lemonade.  WOW, I think you already know that basil is my favorite herb, and the thought of this lemonade made my mouth water.  I checked the refrigerator for basil, I did not have any.  I went to the market and purchased the basil and some lemons.

My daughter loved it.  If you make this Basil Lemonade for your children, they will love it too.

Here we go.

Ingredients

• 4 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
• 3/4 cup sugar (I used less sugar, I like taste the lemon)
• 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

Preparation

1. Bring basil leaves, sugar and two cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring to dissolve the sugar an bruise basil leaves. Simmer 5 minutes without stirring.  Strain, pressing on basil to remove liquid.  Cool.
2. Pour 2 cups of basil syrup into a pitcher.  Stir in lemon juice and 4 cups of water.  Refrigerate and chill well.  
3. Serve over ice, garnish with basil leaves. 

 
Buon Appetito!